Top fin 200w heater came new with tank not working

Check if tank is hot.
Open drain valve at bottom of tank, and then raise TP lever at top of tank.
If water is about same temperature both top and bottom, and water temp at tap is cooler, then turn up temperature, and check for crossover and broken dip tube.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html

If water in lower part of tank is very cool compared with top, then you want to test elements, replace thermostats, and clean sediment out of tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

Add a comment as needed while you work on tank.

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Is water inside tank Hot?
Open TP valve and also open drain valve.
If tank is hot, then you might have plumbing problem caused by bad faucet cartridge or check valve.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html

Red reset button is located on upper thermostat.
Test for 120Volt across top two screws on upper thermostat.
You might have a bad upper thermostat.
If electric water heater has some hot water, then upper element is good.
Electrician should enjoy following page full of information.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Are the hot and cold pipes reversed on top of tank?
Usually the cold water line has shut-off valve.
Top of tank is marked H and C
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Anode rods for tank-type water heaters are located on top of tank.
This is true since anodes are about 44" long.
Top of anode is standard 1-1/16" hex nut.
Anodes can be located in 2 different places: either directly screwed into top of tank -or- attached to hot water nipple.
Most times the exploded parts diagram in manual simply shows 'anode rod' without specifing exact location. If your tank has long warranty, then it can have two anode rods, and 1 will be on top and the other probably attached to hot water nipple, or there could be two anodes screwed into top of tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

If anode is screwed into top of tank, then it will be under a plastic cap -or- it will be concealed under the top cover of tank.
Look for plastic cap, and if none shows, then remove screws holding down metal cover and look there for 1-1/16" hex nut.
Lastly, remove hot water nipple and check for anode located there.
If you have 2 anode rods, then replace with same metal for each.

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For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

AO Smith is biggest manufacturer and ships about 140,000 units per month sold under different brands. Look at rating on tank. Is it a 9 year tank? Or 6 year? Or lifetime?
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.html

Number of factors can cause rust around element:

1) Element is seeping moisture: check and replace element.
Elements can start leaking any time
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-is-leaking.html

2) Anode rod can be depleted from variety of factors including water softener or calcification over anode so it will not work: Check and replace anode rod every 1-2 years with water softener, every 3-5 without water softener. New anode rod will STOP the rust, but will not repair tank that is rusted.
Tanks with longer warranties have 2 anode rods, one on hot water nipple, the other on top of tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

3) Stray current corrosion: add a jumper wire between hot and cold pipes, and make sure tank is grounded. If there is stray current, it will deplete steel in tank if tank is not grounded.
For example one fellow had a tank that rusted out every few years until he discovered his big radio antenna was grounded back to hot water pipe and the tank was not grounded, so the interference depleted his tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html#Ground-tank

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you via e-mail or phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

A leaking water heater cannot be repaired, assuming it's the tank leaking and not nearby water pipe.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html

First thing is to protect your property from catastrophic tank failure where tank ruptures and water runs until it is shut off:
Tanks are under pressure when they are hot.
Close cold water shut-off located above tank.
Turn control knob to 'pilot' so pilot is lit but burner will not turn on.
Open hot side on tub for few moments to relieve tank pressure.

Now your property is safe.
You need a new water heater.
In mean time, gas water heater makes 41 gallons hot water per hour.
Shower used 5-9 gallons hot water.
Bath uses 10-15 gallons hot water.
You can turn on water heater for short stretches and limp by until you get a new heater.

Steps for installing gas water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Water heater should be set in a drip pan.
Otherwise, put 1 gallon bucket under TP release pipe to catch water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html#drip-pan

When you say relief valve, I assum you are talking about brass valve located on top of tank or near top of tank. This is TP valve and a pipe connects to this valve and runs down to within 6" of bottom of tank. TP valve has a small lever on it.
If you are talking about tank drain valve located at bottom of tank, then add a comment.
Following information is for TP valve.

Dripping TP valve can be caused by 3 different thing:

1) Obstruction inside TP valve. Open TP valve for a moment to flush away particles and slowly lower lever back down. See if water stops dripping, if not, then replace TP valve

2) Defective TP valve: replace TP valve. Turn off electricity to water heater. Let heater cool for several hours so you do not get scalded. Close shut off valve located above tank on cold side. Open tub spout to relieve pressure, open tank drain or open TP valve and empty water below TP valve level. If TP is located on top of tank, not much water has to be drained. Tank is under press when hot, so be careful. Put teflon tape on new valve and install with big pipe wrench by turning clockwise until TP valve is very tight.

3) Overheating tank. TP valve is temperature-pressure valve. If tank water is over 150 degrees, the TP valve starts drizzling hot water to relieve tank pressure.
Lower tank pressure two different ways:
a) turn down thermostat
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html
b) install expansion tank on incoming cold water line
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-at-bottom-of-water-heater.html#expansion-tank

If you have a leaking water heater there is a serious problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html
Page shows how to limp along on a leaking water heater if your water heater needs replacement.

One of three things is causing the water:
1) Loose water connection on top of tank that is dripping down inside tank >> check pipes on top of tank.

2) The vent is clogged or not working correctly causing condensation inside flue pipe.
Condensation water is dripping back down inside tank.
Problem means possible CO poisoning if gas is not venting.
Look at vent pipe to see if joints are corroded.
Use long fireplace match > light match and put into draft hood at top of tank and see if smoke goes up.
Put hand at draft hood opening when water heater turns on to see if vent gas enters home.
Do same test when furnace turns on to see if furnace vent is pushing back into water heater.
Does water heater vent inside same pipe as furnace? You may need to set up separate vent for water heater if furnace gasses are pushing back into home.
Check furnace vent for obstructions.
Look at vent stack top of home to see if hood is in place.
Check if bird nest is built inside warm vent pipe.
Improper flue is top priority for getting fixed so vent gasses properly escape home.
You may have to call a plumber.
Professional plumbing forum:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

3) Your water heater is rusted out.
A rusted tank has to be replaced.
It cannot be repaired.
However, before replacing tank, you do not want a tank failure where tank ruptures and water runs inside home until water is shut off.
This will cause major damage.
Protect yourself first.
Turn off water valve above tank.
Move gas knob to 'pilot' so burner is not heating water.
Open tub spout on hot side to relieve pressure on tank so it will not rupture.

Now you're protected.
Link above shows how to limp along on failed tank until you can replace heater.

You need a new gas water heater from Lowes or Home Depot
Look at label on side of you tank for gallons and btu's of your water heater.
Measure height to flue pipe so you get same height water heater, so pipes don't have to be changed.
You need a pipe wrench and teflon tape which will be wrapped on each pipe thread when pipes are reassembled.

Step1) Drain water heater using valve at bottom of tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html

2) Turn off gas valve going into heater.
When gas valve is perpendicular to gas line, then gas is off.
Dissemble gas line to water heater.

3) Disconnect flue pipe and support flue pipe with wire so it doesn't not fall down. Flue pipe joints should be held together at each joint with 3 screws.

4) Turn off water. Shut off valve is on COLD side.
Disconnect water pipes.

5) Move old water heater out of way.

6) Set new water heater in place. Put water heater in drip pan.

7) Connect water pipes >> cold goes to side marked cold.
Hot to hot.
Buy new flexible water connector pipes at home center for easy installation of water pipes.

8) Connect gas line exactly as it was connected before.
Home center sells flexible gas line connector for easy installation of gas line.
To test for gas leak after installation, mix liquid soap with water and put around gas line joints to see if there are bubbles.
Natural gas has less pressure than water lines, so gas pipes are easy to seal with ordinary wrench.

9) install TP pipe that runs to floor. Use old one off old heater.

10) Fill tank completely with water until water is coming out of tub spout.

11) Turn on gas, and light pilot as shown in manual.
New gas heater sometimes have small water leak when first fired up, so ignore a bit of water.

12) Save water heater manual like it is gold, and read everything in manual.

Hi,

The next thing you need to do is find out whether you have 240v to the bottom element....the top will not heat till the bottom is satisfied...
An electric meter is critical when working with these units....trace the power and see where it stops....

here also are some tips that will help you...

Electric Water Heater Wiring Diagram
Electric Water Heater not Working
heatman101

The top element only comes on when the heater is about out of water. The water is directed to the bottom of the tank. Cold water stays on bottom, Bottom heater element heats water. If you use all that water then the top of the tank gets cold and the top element comes. When the top of the tank is warm, then the bottom element comes on. I would susupect the bottom element as it does most of the work. If you have an ohm meter, turn off electric, and remove wires from element. Check element for continuity. If you don't get reading, then that element is bad.

If it is a new water heater it might be that the water supplies are crossed. The cold water should be installed on the right hand side of the tank or on the bottom if your tank hooks up on the side. If its an older water heater the dip tube may have broken off. This is a tube that runs from the top of your water heater on the cold side to the lower portion of the tank.It puts the cold water in the bottom of the heater which pushes the hot water to the top.To change the dip tube out you must disconnect the cold water supply from the 3/4 inch nipple at the top of the tank. Then with a pipe wrench unscrew the nipple from the tank it will have the remainder of the tube on it.You can get a replacement dip tube at a plumming supply. Installation is opposite of removal. If this is your problem I suggest you get a new water heater .Usually its caused from minnerals in the water or buy two dissimiler metals being connected together in the water piping system causing corrosion Your water heater will probably fail in the near future.